Nigeria

1.3 million children have been forced to flee their homes from conflict in North East Nigeria. Three million children can't go to school. Hundreds are facing starvation every day. Many are struggling in temporary camps where disease and hunger are rife.

Conflict in North East Nigeria has led to the active targeting of education. Millions of children are now deprived of the chance to go to school. In Borno state, 3 in 5 schools are closed and over 19,000 teachers have been displaced from their classrooms.

Education and emergency support is the key to helping these children to rebuild their lives, and have hope for the future. In early 2017 Street Child launched our first program in Nigeria, aiming to support thousands of conflict-impacted children.

Street Child founder Tom Dannatt said: "with the world’s highest number of out of school children, Nigeria makes sense for Street Child ... We have the capability to give these forgotten children, who have been through hell, hope for their futures - like we did after Ebola in West Africa and the Nepal earthquake. We can help turn their lives around."

What We Do

Street Child is currently working to re-establish education for 23,000 children across North-East Nigeria by working with the community to provide schools and installing child protection measures to make children feel safe and protected. As well as developing theinfrastructureand environment for a safe and inclusive return to education, we are working to tackle some of the other barriers children face in accessing schooling. As a result of the crisis, thousands of families have lost their businesses, land, and livelihoods, so Street Child is providing micro-enterprise loans and mentoring to support mothers and caregivers to set up businessesso they can afford to feed, clothe, and educate their children.

CHILD PROTECTION

Child protection is a serious concern in an emergency – particularly one characterized by the targeting and abduction of children. Street Child is being supported by the UN (through the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund) to build a sustainable response to these issues. We are setting up Child-Friendly Spaces where 18,000 children can play, and receive counseling, staffed by community volunteers who have been trained by our counselors and professional mental health staff. These spaces are supported by professional social workers who can help provide services to children in need of greater support.

We also want to help children reconnect with their families, and reintegrate into society if they have been associated with armed groups. Our specialized Family Tracing and Reunification officers travel the country to find parents who may have been lost in the turmoil.

EMPOWERING FAMILIES

Families have lost so much during the conflict that some cannot feed their children all the time. This means that children are pulled out of school to support the family income, or help feed themselves. To combat thiswe are providing over 300 vulnerable mothers and foster parents / caregivers with vocational skills training - including baking, sewing, and soap making - and business grants so they can set up sustainable businesses. As part of the program, their children also received school materials such as bags, books, pencils and pens, erasers, a uniform and shoes so they could return to school. This has had immediate results - both foster parents / caregivers and mothers are able to save every week and afford food and education for their children, and are committed to keeping their childrenin school.

EDUCATION IN EMERGENCIES

Supported by UNICEF, Street Child and five local partners are constructing 60 temporary learning centers across 30 communities. For some children, this is their first opportunity to enter a classroom in over three years. We are training community volunteers as classroom assistants for these centers and setting up community committees for education.

We are also providing training on Education in Emergencies to 400 school teachers, so they are better equipped to deal with children who have experienced trauma. We are renovating 120 elementary school classrooms damaged by on-going conflict, and providing books, pens, and educational materials to 23,000 children, to encourage them to stay in school even in these incredibly challenging circumstances.

Stories From Our Work

ELIZABETH, THE MOTHER WHO IS REBUILDING HER LIFE SO HER CHILDREN CAN GO TO SCHOOL

Elizabeth grew up in Goza, Borno State, and lived there with her husband and six children. In Goza, Elizabeth's family were safe and happy. Her husband worked as a farmer on a small plot of land, whilst Elizabeth ran a petty trading business. All her children were able to go to school.

In 2014 everything changed. Due to conflict, Elizabeth was forced to flee her village with her family. After two months of travelling, they arrived in Abuja, and were settled in the Kuchingoro Displaced Persons' Camp. Unable to continue her business due to high costs, Elizabeth and her family were completely dependent on external support.

Thanks to our supporters, we have helped Elizabeth to start a sustainable business - and now all of her children are back in school too.

ABU, THE BOY WHO LOST HIS FAMILY AND HAS NO-ONE TO HELP HIM

Abu was born in Gamboru, Borno State. He lost both his parents to conflict in the region. Fleeing his home, he eventually arrived in Maiduguri, the state capital. Abdul was alone, knew no one, and had no where to go for food, shelter or school.

Today, Abu lives with 20 other children in a displaced persons camp in the city, with little external support. When asked about his chances for the future, he says 'there is no food, no shelter, come rain come shine we will always be here under this tree.'

Over 20,000 children like Abu are unaccompanied after being orphaned or separated from their parents and are fighting to survive. We are desperate to connect them with families, protect them from danger, and help them go to school.